“Hi,” he said, rolling down the window.
“Hi.” Her smile was brighter than all the stars in the sky.
“Ready?”
Olivia didn’t hesitate. “I am.”
Heath hopped out of the truck and walked around the hood to open her door. As soon as he saw her standing there, he froze and looked his fill. Damn, she was so beautiful. Olivia didn’t need dresses and makeup to look beautiful. She had a natural beauty about her. Olivia’s hair cascaded over her shoulders, resting just short of her breasts. Her top hugged her curves in all the right places. The tops of her breasts were just peaking over the edge of her shirt teasing him. His gaze travelled down to her long, lean legs.
“Are you going to open the door or just stand there staring?” Olivia teased with an arched eyebrow.
“I’d prefer to keep standing here, but I don’t want any other man to see you like this and try and steal you away.” He opened the door for her, ushering her in.
Olivia ducked her head shaking it. “You’re crazy.”
He was being dead serious, actually. How no one else tried asking her out over the past month was beyond him. “Say what you will, you’re a knock out.” Heath said, climbing back into the driver’s seat.
“Heath,” she scolded, but there was no heat behind her words. He could see what his praise did to her. She blushed and beamed.
“Let’s go.” He drove them to one of his favorite little eateries a few blocks away. He didn’t want to take her where he took all the others. Heath wanted something different. Something special. He didn’t want Olivia feeling like she was just another woman.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Jacob, but we don’t have you down for a reservation.” The hostess said, her face pinched in guilt; not that Heath was blaming her, but what the hell happened? He had called this morning, when they first opened.
“Is there a table we can get then or sit at the bar?” Heath gave her his best puppy dog face. That usually worked on women.
The woman’s cheeks flushed, as she looked around the room. “It looks like we don’t have any open room at this time. You’re more than welcome to wait, though, but it could be an hour wait.”
Heath glowered. That was unacceptable. “No, thank you.” He didn’t want to spend half their time together tonight, waiting for a table. He had a better idea. Heath took Olivia’s hand and led her back out to the truck.
“What now?”
“You’ll see.” Heath wasn’t ready to concede defeat. He wanted to give Olivia an unforgettable night, and he was going to keep his promise. Heath was going to give her a night to remember, and he wasn’t talking about sex. Not yet.
After a quick stop to the grocery store, Heath drove them up to a spot a lot of couples used as a make out point. It sat high on a hill above the town. It had a perfect view of the town, and the stars could be seen for miles. It was the perfect place to take Olivia.
“What are we doing here?”
“Trust me.” Heath winked, taking the bags out of the back and walking to the tailgate. He set everything out on the bed of the truck and helped Olivia up.
Olivia looked down at the blanket and food spread out. “It’s a picnic.” She stated.
Heath looked close to see if she was upset over his quick decision, but for once, her face was unreadable. It was simply better to ask then guess. “Is this okay?”
“I’ve never been on a picnic before.”
Heath patted himself on the back. This was turning out much better than he first thought it would be. “Then, you’re in for a treat.”
Heath picked up a paper plate and made a plate of baked chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans. It was all the deli area still had available. It wasn’t the dining experience he wanted to give Olivia. She deserved so much more for their first date, but it was the best he could do under the circumstances.
“I almost forgot.” Heath pulled a large bottle out of the bag and cups. “They didn’t have wine, and I didn’t think you were a beer fan, so this was the next best thing I could find.” Heath poured two glasses of sparkling cider. Olivia took the glass, trying not to laugh, but couldn’t hide it and started laughing behind her free hand.
“This is great.” Olivia said sobering. “I’m not much of a drinker.” She took a drink of her cider, before setting it down next to her.
“This isn’t how I imagined tonight going.” He confessed.
“Honestly, I like this a lot better than sitting in a restaurant.” Olivia looked up at the sky. “I couldn’t get this view in a restaurant.” She said, waving her hand out in front of her at the vast openness before them.
Heath wondered if she was just humoring him, but sitting up here eating deli food from the grocery and drinking cider, he could see she was happier being out here in nature than a restaurant. She truly was remarkable. “It’s a beautiful view,” he stated, staring at her. Olivia was oblivious to it, as she sipped her cider, staring up at the sky.
